Is the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 3500 reliable?

The 2013 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 3500 has 62 complaints filed with NHTSA (2.0x the segment average). Our reliability verdict: below-average. Most common issue: AIR BAGS problems.

What are common problems with the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 3500?

Top problems: AIR BAGS (19 complaints, avg repair $500); SPEED CONTROL (13 complaints, avg repair $500); ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS (10 complaints, avg repair $500). Issues typically appear around 50K miles.

Are there any recalls on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 3500?

Yes, there are 5 recall(s): EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY, ELECTRONIC STABILITY CONTROL (ESC):CONTROL MODULE, AIR BAGS, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:PASSENGER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE, AIR BAGS:FRONTAL:DRIVER SIDE:INFLATOR MODULE. Contact any Mercedes-Benz dealer to verify if recalls have been completed on your specific vehicle.

How much does it cost to insure a 2013 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 3500?

Estimated US average full-coverage insurance for the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 3500 is approximately $1,971/year (sedan-luxury class). Actual quotes vary heavily by state, driver age, driving record, and credit — see the interactive insurance estimator on this page for state-specific pricing.

2013 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 3500

Problems, Recalls & Reliability Report

Below Average

Quick Summary

The 2013 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 3500 has 62 owner complaints filed with NHTSA — that's 2.0x the segment average of 31. The most common issue is air bags problems (31% of all complaints), specifically: tl* the contact owns a 2013 mercedes-benz sprinter 3500. the contact received notification of nhtsa campaign number: 16v077000 (air bags); however, the part for the recall repair was unavailable. the contact stated that the manufacturer exceeded a reasonable amount of time for the recall repair. the. There are 5 recalls issued for this model year.

Total Complaints

Recalls Issued

—/5

Safety Stars

2.0x

vs Segment Avg

Known Problems(top 5 of 8)

AIR BAGS

19 complaints

31%

• TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V077000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE
• TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V077000 (AIR BAGS). THE PART TO DO THE REPAIR WAS NOT AVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR.
• TL* TAKATA RECALL. THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V077000 (AIR BAGS) AND STATED THAT THE REMEDY AND PART WAS NOT AVAILABLE WITHIN A REASONABLE TIME FRAME TO SCHEDULE THE RECALL REPAIR. THE CONTACT WAS UNABLE TO DETER

Typical onset: 50K miles Est. repair: $500

“TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V077000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE”

— NHTSA complaint filing

When Problems Appear on the 2013 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 3500

Based on 38 owner complaints that included an odometer reading. Median mileage at time of complaint: 30K miles. Most complaints cluster in the 0-30K miles range.

Overall complaint distribution by mileage

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS

In line with typicalmedian 32K mi · 9 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

BRAKES

In line with typicalmedian 22K mi · 7 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

SPEED CONTROL

Later than typicalmedian 33K mi · 11 reports

0-30K

30-60K

60-100K

100-150K

150-200K

200K+

Mileage figures are self-reported by owners in NHTSA complaint filings. Peak bucket = the mileage range with the most complaints for that component; it reflects when owners noticed and reported problems, not necessarily when the fault first occurred.

Recalls (5)

EQUIPMENT ADAPTIVE/MOBILITY05/11/2014

Cummings Mobility Conversion & Supply (Cummings) is recalling certain model year 2006-2014 Ford E-150, E-250, E-350, Chevrolet Express, 2006-2008 Dodge Sprinter, and 2009-2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter, and 2013 Ford Transit Connect vehicles manufactured January 1, 2006, to October 8, 2014, equipped with certain model S2005, S2010, S5005, S5010, S5505, and S5510 wheelchair lifts manufactured by Ricon Corporation after January 1, 2006. The platform side plate of the affected wheelchair lifts may crack.

Risk: If the platform side plates crack, the lift platform can separate from the lift and come to rest against the vehicle's lift door. When the doors are opened, the platform may fall out, increasing the risk of injury to the lift operator.

Fix: Cummings will notify owners to take buses to a Ricon dealer or service center who will install supplemental platform support bumpers. Any platform that has already started cracking will be replaced, free of charge. The recall began January 13, 2015. Owners may contact Cumming's customer service at 1-800-639-5438 or Ricon customer service at 1-800-322-2884. Cumming's number for this recall is 14E-041.

Estimated Insurance Cost for 2013 Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 3500

Estimate only, not a quote. Modeled from NAIC + HLDI averages for a hypothetical 35-year-old driver with clean record + full coverage. Your actual quote depends heavily on your age, driving history, credit, ZIP code, and insurer.

Your state (affects local premium average)

Full coverage / year

$1,971

Full coverage / month

$164

Liability only / year

$710

vs US avg

+18%

How this estimate is calculated

US base full-coverage premium$1674

× state (US)1.00x

× vehicle class (sedan-luxury)1.28x

× theft risk1.00x

× safety rating1.00x

× vehicle age0.92x

= Full coverage estimate$1971

Coverage assumed: 100/300/100 liability + comprehensive/collision, $500 deductibles. Data sources: NAIC 2024 + HLDI loss studies.

Maintenance & Warranty

Recommended Mercedes-Benz SPRINTER 3500 Service Intervals

Oil change

10K mi / 12 mo

Tire rotation

10K mi

Brake fluid

24 months

Transmission fluid

40K mi

Engine coolant

150K mi

Spark plugs

60K mi

Cabin air filter

20K mi

Engine air filter

40K mi

Differential (AWD/4WD)

40K mi

Service A / Service B alternating schedule. Requires MB-approved oil (229.5 spec typically).

"Severe service" conditions (heavy towing, extreme temps, city stop-and-go) typically halve these intervals. Always consult your vehicle's owner's manual for the authoritative schedule.

Mercedes-Benz New-Vehicle Warranty Coverage

Bumper-to-bumper (basic)

4 yr / 50K mi

Powertrain

4 yr / 50K mi

Hybrid/EV battery

10 yr / 155K mi

Corrosion (rust perforation)

4 yr / 50K mi

Roadside assistance

4 yr / unlimited mi

EQ EV battery warranty is 10 years/155,000 miles

These are the terms for a new Mercedes-Benz. If you're buying a used 2013 SPRINTER 3500, remaining coverage is usually pro-rated from the vehicle's original in-service date. Not all coverage transfers between owners — check with a Mercedes-Benz dealer for VIN-specific remaining warranty.

Estimated Repair Costs

AIR BAGS(~50K mi)

$500

SPEED CONTROL(~50K mi)

$500

ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS(~50K mi)

$500

BRAKES(~50K mi)

$500

OTHER(~50K mi)

$500

Estimates based on average reported repair costs. Actual costs vary by location, shop, and severity.

🔍 Pre-Purchase Inspection Checklist

Based on 62 owner complaints for this specific year, here's what to check or ask about:

☐
AIR BAGS: TL* THE CONTACT OWNS A 2013 MERCEDES-BENZ SPRINTER 3500. THE CONTACT RECEIVED NOTIFICATION OF NHTSA CAMPAIGN NUMBER: 16V077000 (AIR BAGS); HOWEVER, THE PART FOR THE RECALL REPAIR WAS UNAVAILABLE. THE CONTACT STATED THAT THE MANUFACTURER EXCEEDED A REASONABLE AMOUNT OF TIME FOR THE RECALL REPAIR. THE
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
SPEED CONTROL: REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR FAILURE. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE A REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR IN EACH OF THE LAST 3 YEARS. WHEN THE SENSOR FAILS THE ABS SYSTEM STOPS OPERATING. CRUISE CONTROL IS DISABLED AND TRACTION CONTROL IS DISABLED. VEHICLE IS STILL DRIVABLE, BUT SAFETY SYSTEMS ARE LOST UNTIL REPAIRED. BA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
ELECTRONIC SYSTEMS: REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR FAILURE. I HAVE HAD TO REPLACE A REAR WHEEL SPEED SENSOR IN EACH OF THE LAST 3 YEARS. WHEN THE SENSOR FAILS THE ABS SYSTEM STOPS OPERATING. CRUISE CONTROL IS DISABLED AND TRACTION CONTROL IS DISABLED. VEHICLE IS STILL DRIVABLE, BUT SAFETY SYSTEMS ARE LOST UNTIL REPAIRED. BA
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
BRAKES: BRAKES ARE SOFT AND SPONGY. WHEN DEPRESSED, THE PEDAL WILL TRAVEL TO THE FLOOR MAKING IT DIFFICULT TO STOP. THE DEALER REPLACED THE MASTER CYLINDER AND BRAKE BOOSTER IN MARCH, 2015, BUT THAT DID NOT CHANGE THE OPERATION OF THE BRAKES. MY UNDERSTANDING FROM VISITING SEVERAL FORUMS IS THAT THIS A COMM
Typically appears around 50K miles. Repair cost ~$500
☐
RECALLS: Verify all 5 recalls have been completed — free at any Mercedes-Benz dealer
☐
General: Get a pre-purchase inspection from an independent mechanic ($100-$200)